Buying plants

Where to buy

• Garden centres are the department stores of the gardening world and stock every type of plant from bulbs to trees. However, prices may be high, particularly at the start of a new season, and it can be hard to find more unusual varieties.
• Specialist nurseries are often run by plant enthusiasts and will generally specialise in a particular group of plants, such as shrubs, shade-loving varieties, grasses or tropical plants.
• Mail-order/online nurseries make it easy for you to shop if you're looking for a particular plant that local suppliers don't have. The downside is you can't check the condition of the plant before you buy and there may be a minimum order charge.
• Car boot sales often have plant stalls selling items very cheaply. Check the quality of plants carefully.
• Plant fairs and gardening shows attract nurseries from around the country and are excellent places for finding rare and unusual plants.

Plant shopping tips

• Like any kind of shopping, have a clear idea of what you want to buy or you'll end up spending more than you originally intended.
• Do some research on plants that would do well in your garden - this will avoid buying plants that will struggle to survive. Our plant finder can help you track down the best plants.
• Colourful displays and special offers are aimed at making you buy on impulse. Before parting with your cash, check that the plant is suited to your garden and that you have a gap for it.
• Save money by buying smaller plants. Many perennials or shrubs will grow quickly once planted out. Young trees establish more quickly and strongly than mature specimens, so they are more reliable in the long term, but you do lose the instant impact effect.
• Look for perennials and annuals that could benefit from being divided and you could end up getting two plants for the price of one.
• Look for plants bearing the cup symbol of the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). These plants have all been rigorously tested for hardiness and pest and disease resistance.

What to look for

• Knock the plant gently out of its pot and look at the roots. A good plant will fill the pot, but won't be pot bound. Avoid plants where the roots are circling or are so densely packed that no compost is visible.
• If the plant is in flower make sure it matches the picture on the label.
• Unless they're supposed to be coloured or variegated, leaves should be green and healthy. Check carefully for signs of pests and disease. Warning signs are holes, discolouration or ragged edges.
• When buying shrubs and trees from a big batch of plants, don't feel obliged to buy the closest one to hand. Search through until you find the best-shaped plant and avoid plants with broken stems or branches.